Defense: Jonas Siegenthaler: 7 Points
Grade: A
It’s so good to have “shutdown Jonas” back in full swing. Jonas Siegenthaler was one of the many Devils who fell off a cliff last season. Whether it was injury or the system, he was not working. He often found himself in the wrong position or making the wrong decision. Under Keefe, the defensive system has been much better, with fewer options for players to be uncovered in front of the net. He’s also stellar on the PK, and he’s been blocking more shots. He blocked five shots in the Devils 6-2 win against Florida. If he keeps this up, some might consider him the top pairing along with this guy…
Johnathan Kovacevic: 6 Points
Grade: A
Johnathan Kovacevic is the one reason Simon Nemec is not on this list. He played so well, a former second-overall pick who played most of last season was relegated to the bench. Kovacevic and Siegenthaler might be the best shutdown pair in the NHL. Their combined salary is a tick over $4 million. Kovacevic has especially been a value, coming over from the Montreal Canadiens. He’s making less than $800,000 this season. This piece isn’t about contracts, really, but to see Kovacevic destroy expectations despite making this minimal salary is truly a story to behold.
Luke Hughes: 2 Points
Grade: A-
If we told you that Luke Hughes would be getting anything other than an “F” after scoring two points in the first quarter of the season, fans would think we were insane, but the youngest Hughes brother has been nothing short of amazing on the defensive end. The points have not come, but that’s more than okay when he’s providing the level of defense he’s shown so far. His stick check is elite. He’s found a way to utilize his speed for dominance, and his zone exits are exactly what the Devils were missing during their first 10 games. The points will come, but we weren’t sure Hughes would ever look this good on defense.